NAKHON RATCHASIMA: People living along the banks of the Moon River have been told to move their belongings to higher ground as more water is being released from Phimai Dam.
Heavy rain during the past few days has caused the water level in the Moon River to rise, and Phimai Dam in Phimai district is now holding about 2,118,051 cubic metres of water, or 100.38% of its normal capacity of 2,110,000 cubic metres.
To ease the pressure, dam officials are releasing water downstream at full speed, opening all six watergates. They are also installing four propulsion machines below the dam to help push water down the Moon River more quickly.
Phimai Dam officials have issued a warning for people living along the banks of the Moon River to move their belongings to higher ground to prevent damage.
All watergates along the river branches have also been opened.
Paithoon Yangraksa, chief of the Phimai irrigation project, said the situation would ease in a few days, providing heavy rain does not return.
Phimai Dam takes water from Khao Yai mountain, Lam Phra Phloeng Dam, Moon Bon Dam, Lam Sae Dam and Chakarat stream.
From Phimai Dam the river runs through Chum Phuang district to Ubon Ratchathani province before flowing into the Mekong River.